(AP) -- College students, hospitals and early education supporters are among those asking Michigan lawmakers to protect their programs as the state budget debate reaches its final stages. Students including College Democrats plan a Tuesday afternoon rally at the state Capitol to protest the possible elimination of the Michigan Promise scholarship. About 96,000 students were expecting money from that program this school year, but it could be wiped out as lawmakers try to erase a $2.8 billion budget shortfall before an Oct. 1 deadline.

Money from the federal stimulus package will erase more than half of the budget shortfall. Spending cuts or tax increases will fill the rest of the gap.

Lawmakers resume their budget votes Tuesday.

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